Chapter 15 – Environment and Human Population

Are you preparing for your WBBSE Class 10 Geography exam? The chapter Environment and Human Population is very important for your Madhyamik exam. Here, you will get Environment and Human Population important questions and answers in simple and easy English. These questions are based on the latest exam pattern and previous year questions.
This will help you understand easily, revise faster, and score high marks in your exam.

Content Structure

1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)
2. Very short-type questions and answers
- 2A. Fill in the blanks
- 2B. True or false
- 2C. Match the following
- 2D. Single word questions and answers
3. Short-type questions and answers
4. Long-type questions and answers

1. Multiple choice questions and answers (MCQs)

1. The term ecology was coined by-
(a) Tansley
(b) Reiter
(c) Odum
(d) E-Munch

Ans: (b) Reiter

2. Animals undergo inactive stages during winter is known as-
(a) Hibernation
(b) Adaptation
(c) Aestivation
(d) Acclimatisation

Ans: (a) Hibernation

3. Which of the following would necessarily decrease the density of a population in a given habitat?
(a) Natality>mortality
(b) Immigration>emigration
(c) Natality and immigration
(d) Mortality and emigration

Ans: (d) Mortality and emigration

4. If in a population, natality is balanced by mortality then there will be-
(a) decreases in population growth
(b) Zero population growth
(c) Increase in population growth
(d) Over population

Ans: (b) Zero population growth

5. A chronic lung disease is –
(a) FLu
(b) Asthma
(c) Cancer
(d) Pneumonia

Ans: (b) Asthma

6. The bacterium responsible for pulmonarry tuberculosis is –
(a) E. coil
(b) Streptococcus
(c) Staphylococcus
(d) Mycobacterium

Ans: (d) Mycobacterium

7. If the amount of pollen grains, fungal spores and dust particles increase suddenly in the air decide which of the following problems may increase- [Madhyamik 19]
(a) Asthma
(b) Dengue
(c) Malaria
(d) Tuberculosis

Ans: (a) Asthma

8. The breathing distress caused by squeezing of traches and bronchus is known as-
(a) Pneumonia
(b) Asthma
(c) Atelectasis
(d) Emphysema

Ans: (b) Asthma

9. Main cause of lung cancer is-
(a) Asbestos
(b) Pesticide
(c) Smoking
(d) Weedicide

Ans: (c) Smoking

10. The gas responsible for lung cancer is-
(a) Carbon dioxide
(b) Nitrogen
(c) Hydrogen
(d) Radon

Ans: (d) Radon

11. Inflammation of mucous membrane of bronchi and bronchioles is known as-
(a) Tuberculosis
(b) Hypoxia
(c) Asbestosis
(d) Bronchitis

Ans: (d) Bronchitis

12. Which of the following is known as nature’s kidney?
(a) Water spring
(b) Hill
(c) Sea
(d) Wetland

Ans: (d) Wetland

13. Which of the following is not a cancer causing material or carcinogen?
(a) Radon gas
(b) Pollen grain
(c) Formaldehyde
(d) Acetaldehyde

Ans: (b) Pollen grain

14. Which of the following is a cancer causing material?
(a) Arsenic
(b) Pollen grain
(c) Arsenic
(d) All of these

Ans: (a) Arsenic

15. Spreading of tumour cells to different parts of the body is known as-
(a) Metastasis
(b) Homeostasis
(c) Apoptosis
(d) Hypostasis

Ans: (a) Metastasis

16. The annual rate of increase in global population is about-
(a) 3.2%
(b) 4.2%
(c) 2.2%
(d) 1.2%

Ans: (d) 1.2%

17. According to survey of united nations in 2025 global population will reach –
(a) 6.8 billion
(b) 9.8 billion
(c) 5.8 billion
(d) 8.2 billion

Ans: (d) 8.2 billion

18. Excessive rate of increase in population is called-
(a) Population expansion
(b) Population development
(c) Population explosion
(d) Population contraction

Ans: (c) Population explosion

19. The full form of UNFPA is-
(a) United nations fund for population Activities
(b) United nations fund population authority
(c) United nations financial property activities
(d) United nations fund for personal activities

Ans: (a) United nations fund for population Activities

20. The main cause of environmental problem in india is-
(a) Shortage of resources
(b) Scarcity of food
(c) Lack of education
(d) Population explosion

Ans: (d) Population explosion

21. The percentage ratio of natality to mortality is known as –
(a) Population density
(b) Total count
(c) Population rate
(d) Vital index

Ans: (d) Vital index

22. The primary phase of a sigmoid growth curve is-
(a) Log phase
(b) Plateau phase
(c) Exponential phase
(d) Lag phase

Ans: (d) Lag phase

23. 11th July is celebrated as-
(a) World Environment Day
(b) World AIDS Day
(c) World Population Day
(d) World Wetland Day

Ans: (c) World Population Day

24. Exponential growth of a population is represented by-
(a) ‘I’ phase
(b) ‘S’ shaped graph
(c) ‘J’ shaped graph
(d) Hyperbolic graph

Ans: (c) ‘J’ shaped graph

25. The rate of conversion of agricultural land to residential area in India between 2001 to 2010 is about-
(a) 4%
(b) 3%
(c) 1%
(d) 2%

Ans: (b) 3%

2. Very short-type questions and answers

2A. Fill in the blanks

1. The whole mass of air surround the earth is called _____________. (Atmosphere)
2. The water content of the earth is _____________. (Hydrosphere)
3. The parts of earth i.e. the different strata of air, soil and water, where living organisms survive or live together with the abiotic component is called the ____________. (Biosphere)
4. The total number of organisms in a particular area is called ____________. (Population)
5. Any nonphological, physiological, behavioural attribute enabling an organism to survive and reproduce is its habitat is called _____________. (Adaptation)
6. World cancer day is _________. (4th February)
7. Inflammation of bronchus is called ___________. (Bronchitis)
8. ________ gases cause global warming. (Greenhouse)
9. _________ is a carcinogenic radioactive gas. (Radon)
10. The cancer causing agents are called _______________. (Carcinogens)
11. Spreading of cancer cells in different organs and tissues of the body is known as ________. (Metastasis)
12. Uncontrolled cell division leads to the fatal disease called ____________. (Cancer)
13. The major cause of chronic bronchitis is __________. (Smoking)
14. ___________ of certain plants are responsible for breathing distress. (Pollen grains)
15. The main cause of lung cancer is __________. (Smoking)
16. Only ________ % of earth water reserve is fresh water. (3)
17. The drinkable water on earth is just _______ % of the total water reserve. (1)
18. __________ is a breathing related disease. (Asthma)

2B. True or false

1. Environmental pollution has no role in causing cancer. (False)
2. Every year about 3-6 billion trees are chopped down. (True)
3. PAN is a type of allergen. (False)
4. Leukaemia is a lung disease. (False)
5. PAN cause damage to respiratory organs. (True)
6. Only 1% of total water reserve of the earth is drinkable. (True)
7. Vinyl chloride is a carcinogen present in the smoke of cigarettes. (False)
8. The uncontrolled cell division in the body is called metastasis. (False)
9. Bronchitis is caused due too damage of cilliary cells of tracheal lining. (True)
10. Carcinogens can transform normal human genes into oncogenes. (True)
11. Smoke produced during burning of coal and oil of the causes of asthma. (True)
12. Formalsehyde is a primary pollutant. (True)

2C. Match the column

Column A	Column B
1. Greenhouse gas	A. Bronchitis
2. Population explosion	B. Cancer
3. Pollen grains of plants	C. Loss of biodiversity
4. Carcinogen	D. Asthma
5. Fine dust of asbestos	E. Global warming
6. Wetland	F. Myocardial infarction
	G. Recharging of ground water

Ans:

Column A	Column B
1. Greenhouse gas	E. Global warming
2. Population explosion	C. Loss of biodiversity
3. Pollen grains of plants	D. Asthma
4. Carcinogen	B. Cancer
5. Fine dust of asbestos	A. Bronchitis
6. Wetland	G. Recharging of ground water

Column A	Column B
1. Causes of allergy	A. Radon gas
2. Causes of oral cancer	B. Agricultural runoff
3. Causes of bronchitis	C. Chewing of tobacco
4. Causes of lung cancer	D. Smoke from burning coal
5. Causes of water pollution	E. Pollen
6. Causes of soil erosion	F. Deforestation
	G. Global warming

Ans:

Column A	Column B
1. Causes of allergy	E. Pollen
2. Causes of oral cancer	C. Chewing of tobacco
3. Causes of bronchitis	D. Smoke from burning coal
4. Causes of lung cancer	A. Radon gas
5. Causes of water pollution	B. Agricultural runoff
6. Causes of soil erosion	F. Deforestation

2D. Single word questions and answers

1. What is hibernation?
Ans: Hibernation is a long winter sleep in which some animals rest and remain inactive to protect themselves from cold weather and lack of food.

2. What is lithosphere?
Ans: Lithosphere is the solid outer layer of the earth which includes rocks, soil and minerals.

3. What is atmosphere?
Ans: Atmosphere is the thick blanket of air that surrounds the earth.

4. What is hydrosphere?
Ans: Hydrosphere is the part of the earth that includes all forms of water like rivers, oceans, lakes and glaciers.

5. What is ecosphere?
Ans: Ecosphere is the zone of the earth where living organisms interact with the lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere.

6. What do you mean by abiotic factors?
Ans: Abiotic factors are the non-living components of the environment like air, water, soil, light and temperature.

7. What does population means?
Ans: Population means the total number of individuals of the same species living in a particular area at a particular time.

8. Which type of cancer is instigated by asbestos and chromium?
Ans: Asbestos and chromium instigate lung cancer.

9. Mention two environmental causes of allergy?
Ans: Dust particles and pollen grains are two environmental causes of allergy.

10. Which type of tumour is harmful?
Ans: Malignant tumour is the harmful type of tumour.

11. Mention the two types of tumours?
Ans: The two types of tumours are benign tumour and malignant tumour.

12. Name two cancer causing agents?
Ans: Arsenic and radon gas are two cancer-causing agents.

13. Give one example of a benign tumour?
Ans: Wart is an example of a benign tumour.

14. How many types of bronchitis are there?
Ans: There are two types of bronchitis, acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis.

15. What is tumour?
Ans: Tumour is an abnormal and uncontrolled growth of body cells at a particular site.

16. Which white blood cell increases in asthma?
Ans: In asthma, the number of eosinophils increases.

17. What are allergy-causing substances called?
Ans: Allergy-causing substances are called allergens.

18. What disease causes inflammation of the pleural membrane?
Ans: Pleurisy causes inflammation of the pleural membrane.

19. Which tissue of lungs affected by cancer?
Ans: In lung cancer, the epithelial tissue of the lungs is affected.

20. Which is the second most populast country in the world?
Ans: India is the second most populous country in the world.

21. How much did India’s population increase from 2001 to 2011?
Ans: India’s population increased by about 18.1 crore during this period.

22. What was the population of India in 2011?
Ans: The population of India in 2011 was about 121 crore.

23. In which year did global population reach 1 billion?
Ans: The global population reached 1 billion in the year 1804.

24. What is the annual rate of increase in Indian population?
Ans: The annual rate of increase in Indian population is about 1.2%.

25. What is population density?
Ans: Population density is the number of individuals living per unit area at a given time.

3. Short-type questions and answers

1. Define environment?
Ans: Environment refers to the total surroundings of an organism, which include both living and non-living components like air, water, soil, plants, animals, microorganisms, light and temperature. These factors directly or indirectly influence the growth, survival and activities of living organisms.

2. Define Biosphere?
Ans: Biosphere is the narrow life-supporting zone of the earth where living organisms exist. It includes the lower part of the atmosphere, the upper part of the lithosphere and the entire hydrosphere. In this zone, living beings live with air, water and land.

3. What is competition?
Ans: Competition is the struggle among organisms of the same or different species for limited natural resources like food, space, light, water and shelter. So, only the well-adapted organisms survive, and the weaker ones are eliminated.

4. What is natality or birth rate?
Ans: Natality or birth rate is the rate at which new individuals are added to a population by reproduction within a specific period of time. High natality increases population size, whereas low natality reduces population growth.

5. What is mortality or death rate?
Ans: Mortality or death rate is the rate at which individuals die in a population during a given period of time. Mortality reduces population size and helps in maintaining population balance in nature.

6. What are the causes of asthma? [Madhyamik 17]
Ans: Asthma is mainly caused by allergic reactions of the respiratory tract. Common causes include inhalation of dust particles, pollen grains, fungal spores, smoke, air pollution, cold air and strong odours. Genetic factors and respiratory infections may also increase the risk of asthma.

7. What is migration?
Ans: Migration is the movement of people from one place to another for a short time or permanently. It happens due to shortage of food, shelter, or change in climate. Migration changes the size and density of population.

8. Mention two causes of population explosion in India.
Ans: Population explosion in India is mainly caused by the following factors:

High birth rate, due to early marriage, lack of awareness about family planning, and social customs.
Low death rate, due to improvement in medical facilities, sanitation, and nutrition.

9. Mention the symptoms od asthma?
Ans: The symptoms of asthma are:

Shortness of breath, especially during night or early morning
Difficulty in breathing
Wheezing sound during respiration
Tightness in the chest
Frequent coughing

10. What would be the environmental consequence as results of recurrent destruction of wetlands and depletion of quantity of agricultural lands? [Madhyamik 18]
Ans: Recurrent destruction of wetlands and reduction of agricultural land cause serious environmental problems. It leads to loss of biodiversity as many plants and animals lose their habitat. It reduces groundwater recharge, which causes water scarcity. Floods become more frequent due to loss of wetlands. Decrease in agricultural land also lowers food production and disturbs the ecological balance.

11. What are the causes of lung cancer?
Ans: The causes of lung cancer are:

Air pollution and harmful chemicals
Smoking and tobacco consumption
Inhalation of carcinogenic substances
Exposure to asbestos fibres
Radon gas and industrial smoke

12. What is the difference between malignant and benign tumour?
Ans:

Benign tumour	Malignant tumour
A benign tumour is non-cancerous in nature.	A malignant tumour is cancerous in nature.
It grows slowly.	It grows rapidly.
It remains confined to its original site.	It invades the surrounding tissues.
It does not spread to other parts of the body.	It spreads to distant organs through blood or lymph.

13. Mention two characteristics features of cancer cells?
Ans: The characteristic features of cancer cells are:

They lose their normal structure and function and invade neighbouring tissues, showing abnormal growth behaviour.
Cancer cells divide uncontrollably without normal regulation.

14. What is asbestosis?
Ans: Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by prolonged inhalation of asbestos fibres. These fibres damage lung tissues, reduce lung elasticity and cause breathing difficulties, and may lead to lung cancer.

15. Mention the characteristics features of malignant tumour?
Ans: Malignant tumours grow rapidly, destroy surrounding tissues, spread to other parts of the body by metastasis and are life-threatening. They often recur even after treatment.

4. Long-type questions and answers

1. What are the problems caused by ever increasing population?
Ans: Rapidly increasing population creates serious social, economic and environmental problems. Due to overpopulation, there is acute shortage of food, drinking water, housing and other basic necessities. Unemployment and poverty increase, leading to poor health and low living standards. Natural resources are overused, forests are destroyed and environmental pollution increases. Thus, the quality of human life and ecological balance are greatly affected.

2. What types of lung disease develop due to environmental pollution?
Ans: Environmental pollution is a major cause of various lung diseases. Air polluted with dust particles, smoke, toxic gases and chemical fumes damages the respiratory system. Diseases like asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema and lung cancer develop due to long-term exposure to polluted air. These diseases reduce lung capacity and cause severe breathing problems.

3. How is cancer related to environmental pollution?
Ans: Cancer is closely related to environmental pollution. Harmful substances present in polluted air, water, and food enter the human body. Many of these substances, such as asbestos, arsenic, pesticides, and industrial wastes, act as carcinogens. They damage body cells and cause uncontrolled cell division, which leads to the formation of tumours and results in cancer.

4. Describe the effects of population explosion on environment. [Madhyamik 18]
Ans: Population explosion exerts great pressure on the environment. As the population increases, forests are cleared and agricultural lands are converted into residential and industrial areas to fulfil the growing demand for food and shelter. This results in deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and disturbance of ecological balance. Rapid population growth also increases air, water, and soil pollution due to industrialisation and urbanisation. Wetlands are destroyed and the groundwater level decreases, leading to water scarcity. Moreover, excessive use of natural resources and increased pollution intensify climate change. Thus, population explosion causes serious environmental degradation.

5. What is asthma? Explain the environmental causes of asthama.
Ans: Asthma is a chronic disease of the respiratory system in which the air passages of the lungs, especially the trachea and bronchi, become narrowed and inflamed. Due to this narrowing, the flow of air is obstructed, which causes difficulty in breathing, wheezing, and coughing.

Environmental causes of asthma are:

Cold air, which can trigger asthma attacks
Inhalation of dust particles, pollen grains, and fungal spores
Exposure to smoke, industrial pollutants, and vehicle exhaust
Air pollution, which irritates the respiratory tract

6. What environmental factors may cause cancer in human? [Madhyamik 18]
Ans: Several environmental factors are responsible for causing cancer in humans. Exposure to carcinogenic substances such as asbestos, radon gas, arsenic, chromium, pesticides, and industrial chemicals increases the risk of cancer. Air and water pollution allow harmful substances to enter the human body. Excessive radiation and contaminated food damage body cells. These damaged cells divide abnormally and may lead to the development of cancer.